Eight Great Ways To Include Shadows In Your Pictures

Usually on this site I describe ways to deal with shadows in pictures. This is because shadows can distract the viewer from the main subject. Shadows also often create high contrast that gives the sensor some hard time. In past articles I’ve shown how to eliminate the shadows, minimize them, diffuse them and even bounce to get rid of them.

But what if? What if there was a way to turn the shadow into a friend, to make the shadow so distracting, it will become the subject itself?

In this article I’ve decided to face the enemy and make it a friend. Here are eight ways to get a great shadow picture:

1. Take a shot where your shadow is seen well, but the subject’s “projection” is minimal. This gives the picture an interesting twist, since usually the subject to image relation is inverted.

2. Turn your photo upside down so the subject takes the place of the shadow and the shadow takes the place of the subject. Like in the previous idea, the viewer will have to think a minute before understanding what’s going on here.

3. Distort the shadow by using an interesting shaped backdrop; or a book (I’d day that a rolled paper or an accordion-like folding can make great shadow modifiers as well). Check out Mik’s take on this technique.

4. Use the shadow to echo and dialog with your subject. If nothing is special on a particular sunset, shadows cast on walls will take the form of the subject. Use that tip to “duplicate” your silhouette with a shadow.

5. Use shadows to fill empty part of the frame and create interest in an otherwise non attractive area. The floor for example, would have been a boring great without the pattern cast by the window frame.

8. Echo your main subject with shadows of similar subjects (or find a play mate when you are completely alone). As you can see there are only two players in this shot.

Shadow Game by Aron Brand

I would like to try something new – an assignment. The rules are simple – any photo can participate as long as the shadow in the picture is an important part of the composition. I am really exited about doing an assignment post as it may invoke some interesting discussions and help share some photography knowledge around. Feel free to build on the ideas portrayed in this post. Use them to create something of your own.

Some technical assignment info:
– The deadline for this assignment is December 15th, that’s 10 day from now.
– To show your work, post the image to the flickr pool and tag it with: DIYP, shadow. You can find fellow’s pictures here. Another option is to show them on the comments section.
– you can ask questions and consult in the comments or on the flickr group.

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Allen Mowery is a commercial and lifestyle photographer, pseudo-philosopher, and wannabe documentarian killing time amidst the rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania. When not shooting client work or chasing overgrown wildlife from his yard, he loves to capture the stories of the people and culture around him. You can check out his work on his website or follow along on Facebook, Twitter (@allenmowery), and 500px.

JP Danko is a commercial photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.

Stefan Kohler is a conceptual photographer, specialized in mixing science, technology and photography. He is one of the founders of Kamerakind, based in Traunstein, Southern Germany. You can follow him on Facebook or on 500px.com

Tiffany Mueller is a photographer based in Hawi, Hawaii. You can follow her Twitter here and her personal life here.

Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel.

When he isn't waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses.

Laya Gerlock is a Portrait and Product photographer based in the Philippines. His passion is teaching and sharing his knowledge in Photograpy and has been doing this for 6 years. You can follow his work on his web page, follow him on Flickr and if you happen to come by Cubao, Quezon City (To Manila, Philippines) he gives a great workshop!